English
An English major and minor, and minors in creative writing and writing are offered.
The core curriculum courses in English introduce students to the basics of writing clearly and concisely and to an appreciation and understanding of literature.
Other courses emphasize 1) the study of literature by major British, American, and world writers; 2) the research and writing process; and 3) the student’s own creative use of language.
English majors explore a range of literary genres and periods; they grapple with the complexities of literary texts; they hone their abilities to write, speak, think, and research; and they prepare portfolios for use in job interviews and/or graduate school applications.
The writing classes EN 101 to EN 118 fulfill the competency requirement in writing. Each course concentrates on the student’s own writing but uses a different thematic content as a basis for the reading, writing, and research assignments. All courses use a workshop format, require several individual conferences with the instructor, and require the same number and scope of assignments. Students are advised to take one of these courses as early in their studies as possible because the courses stress writing and research skills needed for other competency courses. Students also may take these courses as electives.
Career Opportunities
English majors find employment in many professional areas, including education, business, publishing, communications, and government. They also continue their education in graduate and professional schools, majoring in English, journalism, creative writing, education, law, or other related studies.
Admission to the English Major or Minor
The student wishing to major or minor in English must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 and no grades below C- in any required English course.
Major
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Writing And History | ||
| Writing And The Environment | ||
| Writing And Popular Culture | ||
| Writing and Issues of Health & Mortality | ||
| Writing And Film | ||
| Writing And Gender Studies | ||
| Writing And Social Issues | ||
| Writing And Other Cultures | ||
| Writing And Memoirs | ||
| Writing And Sports | ||
| Writing And Place | ||
| EN 123 | Professional Writing (before the senior year) | 4 |
| or EN 125 | Introduction To Language | |
| EN 176 | American Literature Survey: Colonial to 1914 | 3 |
| EN 203 | Creative Writing | 3 |
| EN 210 & EN 215 | Writing And Analysis Of Literature and Major English Writers (both before the senior year) | 7 |
| EN 234 | Shakespeare | 3 |
| EN 278 | American Literature Survey: 1914 to Present | 3 |
| EN 303 | Topics In American Literature | 3 |
| EN 325 | Seminar: Independent Research | 3 |
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Chaucer And The Middle Ages | ||
| Milton and the 17th Century | ||
| 18th Century Literature | ||
| The English Romantic Age | ||
| The Victorian Age | ||
| Topics in Literature | ||
| 20th Century British Literature | ||
| Select one of the following internships: | 3 | |
| Internship | ||
| Student Teaching in the Secondary School | ||
| Student Teaching in the Secondary School | ||
A three-credit internship in another discipline | ||
| Total Hours | 44 | |
Students who cannot complete an internship will take EN 445 Independent Study with a focus on career preparation.
Students planning to pursue teacher education should follow the program guidelines within the education section of this Catalog and contact an advisor in the education department for assistance.
English Minor
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Writing And History | ||
| Writing And The Environment | ||
| Writing And Popular Culture | ||
| Writing and Issues of Health & Mortality | ||
| Writing And Film | ||
| Writing And Gender Studies | ||
| Writing And Social Issues | ||
| Writing And Other Cultures | ||
| Writing And Memoirs | ||
| Writing And Sports | ||
| Writing And Place | ||
| EN 278 | American Literature Survey: 1914 to Present | 3 |
| EN 203 | Creative Writing | 3 |
| EN 210 & EN 215 | Writing And Analysis Of Literature and Major English Writers | 7 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Topics In American Multiculture Lit | ||
| Major World Writers | ||
| Introduction To Literature | ||
| American Drama | ||
| American Literature Survey: Colonial to 1914 | ||
| Major American Writers | ||
| Literature and Gender | ||
| British Literature and Culture | ||
| Irish Literature & Culture | ||
| Introduction to Film Adaptation | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Chaucer And The Middle Ages | ||
| Shakespeare | ||
| Milton and the 17th Century | ||
| 18th Century Literature | ||
| The English Romantic Age | ||
| The Victorian Age | ||
| Topics in Literature | ||
| 20th Century British Literature | ||
| Total Hours | 22 | |
Courses
EN 011 Inquiry and Expression: 1 semester hour
This course offers direct experiences in exploring, formulating, and evaluating ideas through oral and written communication. The communication process, revision, and individualized instruction are emphasized throughout the semester; proofreading compettence is studied in the context of student writing. The main focus is on developing the students' abilities in writing, reading, speaking, and listening. This course is also highly recommended for returning students who may need to refresh their skills. (Offered spring semester).
EN 012 Writing & Inquiry: 4 semester hours
This college develpmental writing course emphasizes reading and writing skills essential to college success while stressing the writing process and revision. The key focus is on learning to question, evaluate, and rethink concepts through dialogue, exploring and listening to the ideas of others. Students study, through intensive reading an writing, the factors that shape and influence a writer's life: decisions, events, culture, media and technology.
EN 101 Writing And History: 4 semester hours
By examining a period of historical topic, students will have the opportunity to discover how history is relevant to contemporary life. The course will focus on a different topic each semester such as the Vietnam War, the Holocaust, or the American Frontier, using it as a focus for writing and research. Fulfills the competency requirement in writing.
EN 106 Writing And The Environment: 4 semester hours
Our national culture is firmly rooted in the ways we treat the land and wildlife. Many writers have responded to our changing environment in a multitude of ways. This course will examine that literature in order to stimulate student writing and research. Fulfills the competency requirement in writing.
EN 107 Writing And Popular Culture: 4 semester hours
This course will study how television, movies, and music influence our everyday lives and shape our values, showing how popular culture has increasingly been used in fiction and poetry. Assignments will allow students to examine different perspectives about popular culture. Fulfills the competency requirement in writing.
EN 108 Writing and Issues of Health & Mortality: 4 semester hours
Frequently, the impulse behind writing come from the awareness of our martality and our desire to care for one another. Writers, including those who are doctors and nurses, know this and have created a rich trove of literature from all genres about these experiences. This course will examine that literature in order to stimulate students writing and research in writing.
EN 111 Writing And Film: 4 semester hours
This course will use cinema from around the world to stimulate student writing. Specific versions of the course might center around important American films, films of directors, films from a particular genre, or films dealing with a major theme. Students will explore different perspectives about how film can entertain, educate, and provoke an audience. Fulfills the competency requirement in writing.
EN 112 Writing And Gender Studies: 4 semester hours
Gender is a concept that refers to the cultural sources of our identities as women and men. This writing course will explore gender in conjunction with socialization, stereotypes, intimacy, the media, the workplace, and the family. Fulfills the competency requirement in writing.
EN 114 Writing And Social Issues: 4 semester hours
This course examines social issues such as racism, poverty, and crime. Students may participate in brief service projects. Fulfills the competency requirement in writing.
EN 115 Writing And Other Cultures: 4 semester hours
This course includes reading and writing about people from diverse cultural positions, and focuses on understanding the various social, political, and economic factors that shape a culture. Fulfills the competency requirement in writing.
EN 116 Writing And Memoirs: 4 semester hours
While examining their own family histories and personal recollections, as well as the memoir writing of published authors, students will write expository essays and longer, research papers that require investigation and documentation. Fulfills the competency requirement in writing.
EN 117 Writing And Sports: 4 semester hours
Given the emphasis placed on sports in the life of a college student, as well as in our culture in general, this course will stress the fundamentals of college writing and research while using sports as a thematic focus. The course will examine such topics as participation in sports, historical developments of professional sports, individual versus team sports, and the broad area of sports literature. Fulfills the comptency requirement in writing.
EN 118 Writing And Place: 4 semester hours
An understanding and a belonging to a place can give us a sense of community and purpose. This class will explore issues connected with places both familiar and foreign while using them as a focus for writing and research. Fulfills the competency requirement in writing.
EN 120 Grammar: 1 semester hour
A study of grammar with an emphasis on revising and editing.
EN 123 Professional Writing: 4 semester hours
Designed to help students understand the basic resouces and techniques of writing pertinent to their chosen professions. Writing assignments and discussions covering such areas as occupational letters, reports, and letters of job application are geared to the student's individual professional needs. Prerequisites: One course selected from the core curriculum writing courses and sophomore standing.
EN 125 Introduction To Language: 3 semester hours
An introduction to the principles and basic structure of the English language with an emphasis on grammar, the history of English, and sociolinguistics.
EN 133 Topics In American Multiculture Lit: 3 semester hours
This course will examine various topics in American multicultural literature. Course content will vary. (Specific topics could include literature by African-Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Americans, Jewish-Americans or Hispanic-Americans; or the class might be a survey examining works from a number of these literatures). This course fulfills the core curriculum requirement in literature. When the course has a different content, it may be repeated. Prerequisite: One course selected from the core composition courses or equivalent.
EN 154 Major World Writers: 3 semester hours
This course introduces the basics of literary analysis while examining works of poetry and prose by major writers from around hte world. This writing-intensive course fulfils the literature requirement in the Expressive Arts domain. Prerequisite: completion of the writing competency course.
EN 170 Introduction To Literature: 3 semester hours
This course will provide an introduction to poetry and fiction, emphasizing reading, analysis, and interpretation. Students will be asked to read a variety of literature that reflects both the history and the diversity of the genres and to respond orally and in writing. Fulfills the core curriculum requriement in literature. Prerequisite: One course selected from the core composition courses or equivalent.
EN 175 American Drama: 3 semester hours
Selected dramas from 1920 to the present ranging from classic American plays by Williams and Miller to more offbeat, contemporary works. Students may be required to attend productions outside class. Fulfills the core curriculum requirement in literature. Prerequisite: One course selected from the core compostion courses or equivalent.
EN 176 American Literature Survey: Colonial to 1914: 3 semester hours
This survey course will examine the major topics/trends/movements in American literature from our nation's beginnings to World War I through reading a variety of genres: poetry, short fiction, autobiography, and the novel. Topics will include American Romanticism, Realism, and Naturalism. This writing intensive course fulfills the literature requirement in the Expressive Arts domain. Prerequisite: one course selected from the core composition courses or equivalent.
EN 178 Major American Writers: 3 semester hours
This course will examine works (fiction, poetry, drama, and non-fiction) from important American writers. Some of the writers that may be included: Franklin, Hawthorne, Douglass, Thoreau, Dickinson, Whitman, Twain, Chopin, Hemingway, O'Neill, Faulkner, Frost, Morrison, Miller, A. Wilson, O'Connor, Wright, Kingston, Erdrich, Tan, and Cisneros. Will satisfy requirement for Expressive Arts domain. A writing intensive course.
EN 180 Literature and Gender: 3 semester hours
The literature in this course explores what it means to be a man or a woman. Students will examine the ways in which poets, novelists, short story writers, playwights, and memoirists create, explore, and challenge social constructions of gender. This writing intensive course fulfills the literature requirement in the Expressive Arts Domain.
EN 190 British Literature and Culture: 3 semester hours
This travel course examines selected works of British literature in conjunction with the art, history, cityscapes, and political and economic realities that helped produce them. The course includes a 7-10 day trip to London, Canterbury, Bath, and Oxford. This writing-intensive course fulfills either the literature requirement in the Expressive Arts Domain or the Global Awareness Domain. Students must specify to which Domain they wish this course to be applied. Prerequisites: payment of travel deposit and one course selected from the core composition courses or equivalent.
EN 195 Irish Literature & Culture: 3 semester hours
This travel course examines selected works of Irish literature in conjunction with art, history, cityscapes, and political and economic realities that helped produce them. The course includes a 1-2 week trip to Dublin, Belfast, and Derry. The writing-intensive course filfills either the literature reqirement in the Expressive Arts Domain or the requirement in the Global Awareness Domain. Students must specify to which Domain they wish this course to be applied. Prerequisites: payment of travel deposit and one course selected from the core composition courses or equivalent.
EN 203 Creative Writing: 3 semester hours
Writing of short stories, poems and creative nonfiction using a workshop format. Prerequisite: One course selected from the core composition courses or equivalent.
EN 204 The Art Of The Essay: 4 semester hours
A study of the art form of the essay from Montaigne to the present with a focus on the student's own writing. Prerequisites: One course selected from the core composition courses; at least sophomore standing.
EN 210 Writing And Analysis Of Literature: 4 semester hours
An intensive writing course required of English majors and minors. Also covers the critical analysis of the major genres and the study of various theoretical approaches. Must be taken at Mount Mercy before the senior year. The CLEP exam does not apply. Prerequisite: One course selected from the core compostion courses or equivalent.
EN 215 Major English Writers: 3 semester hours
Selected writings from such authors as Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton, Wordsworth, Charlotte Bronte, Keats, Browning, and Joyce. English majors must take this course before their senior year. Prerequisite: One course selected from the core composition courses or equivalent.
EN 225 Chaucer And The Middle Ages: 3 semester hours
An introduction to the Middle English literature with a concentration on Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. Prerequisite: One lower division literature course or permission of the instructor.
EN 234 Shakespeare: 3 semester hours
Selected histories, comedies, and tragedies; Shakespeare's London and his stage. Required for all English majors. Prerequisite: One lower divison literature course or permission of the instructor.
EN 236 Milton and the 17th Century: 3 semester hours
Emphasis on Milton's verse and prose; also selected works of the Cavalier and metaphysical poets, especially Donne. Prerequisite: One lower division course or permission of the instructor.
EN 243 18th Century Literature: 3 semester hours
Major works from 1660-1780, showing the development of poetry, drama, and the novel. Prerequisite: One lower division literature course or permission ofthe instructor.
EN 254 The English Romantic Age: 3 semester hours
Prose and verse, 1780-1832, especially works by Blake, Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron, Shelley, Keats, Scott, Austen, Lamb. Prerequisite: One lower division literature course or permission of the instructor.
EN 265 The Victorian Age: 3 semester hours
Poetry and fiction by such authors as Tennyson, Browning, Hopkins, Dickens, Eliot, Gaskell, and Hardy. Prerequisite: One lower division course or permission of the instructor.
EN 278 American Literature Survey: 1914 to Present: 3 semester hours
This course will examine the major topics/trends/movements in American Literature from World War I to the present through reading a variety of genres: poetry, short fiction, drama, and the novel. Topics will include Modernism, Postmodernism and Deconstruction, and Multiculturalism.
EN 300 Topics in Literature: 3 semester hours
This course will examine specific topic in literature. Course content will vary. The course with different content may be repeated. Prerequisite: One lower division literature course or permission of the instructor.
EN 303 Topics In American Literature: 3 semester hours
This course includes an examination of a specific topic in American literature. Course content will vary. The course with different content may be repeated. Prerequisite: One lower division literature course or permission of the instructor.
EN 309 20th Century British Literature: 3 semester hours
Major works and novels by such authors as Yeats, Auden, Shaw, Joyce, Conrad, Woolf, Lessing, and Greene. Prerequisite: One lower division literature course or permission of the instructor.
EN 320 Intermediate Creative Writing: 3 semester hours
An advanced creative writing course focusing on the student portfolio, a collection of original poems, stories and creative nonfiction written for the class. Prerequisite: One course selected from the core composition courses or equivalent.
EN 321 Topics In Creative Writing: 3 semester hours
Students will study and practice one specific type of creative writing, such as poetry, mystery novels, or creative non fiction. Students may repeat the course when it features a different type of writing. Prerequisite: EN 203 or permission of the instructor.
EN 325 Seminar: Independent Research: 3 semester hours
A capstone seminar which asks that students demonstrate through independent research and in-class activities a proficiency in critical, verbal, and written skills. Since this class is process oriented the instructor and students will collaborate on selecting the theme(s) for the seminar. Students will also explore career development. Required of all English majors. Prerequisites: Senior English major status; one course selected from the core composition courses; and at least one upper-level English literature course at Mount Mercy.
EN 424 Internship: 1 semester hour
This class is a supervised work experience in various profit/non-profit organization. It is required of all English majors who have not had another internship experience through Mount Mercy University and who are not Education majors. It is open to English majors of junior or senior status. All students must receive the approval/consent of the English Program before participating in this internship. If students do not receive this approval, they will take EN 455, focusing on career preparation. To count toward the English major, the internship must be taken for three credits.
EN 445 Independent Study: 3 semester hours
Study topic will be arranged by the student and the English Department best able to direct the work. An independent study gives the English major the opportunity to pursue authors, genres, and literary periods not developed in regular courses.